Exterior Semi-Tech General discussion of exterior for the Ford Ranger.

12V Bed Outlet Mod

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 01-08-2006
Jeffro's Avatar
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Pennsville, NJ
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
12V Bed Outlet Mod

I just finished my 12v Bed mod in my truck, and before I could even clean up two of my buddies from work were telling me to leave the tools out so they could do the same thing....it's a sweat set up and you can't beat it. <$15.00 in parts and an hour of time spent during the install. It took me longer to get over the fear of drilling a hole in my truck than it did to do the actually install. I'll post pics when I get home...thanks R-F guys for the idea!!!
 
  #2  
Old 01-08-2006
Redneckstone's Avatar
Level III Supporter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: usa
Posts: 24,936
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
sweet man glad you happy with it!!!
 
  #3  
Old 01-08-2006
Jeffro's Avatar
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Pennsville, NJ
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I love it, but I haven't really "used" it yet. I plugged in my cell phone charger to make sure it worked, I don't have anything else 12 volt on me right now.
 
  #4  
Old 01-08-2006
HighRollerII's Avatar
RF Veteran
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 10,073
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
awsome ive thought bout doin it..if i had some free time..

make sure you get pics..i wanna see
 
  #5  
Old 01-08-2006
rolla_guy72's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Fairbanks, AK
Posts: 3,256
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You could get one of those small 12V Compressors for fillin tires for the trails, If you wanna air down you don't have to worry about drivin on the raod with your tires low.
 
  #6  
Old 01-08-2006
Gearhead61's Avatar
RF Veteran
Join Date: May 2005
Location: College Station, TX
Posts: 5,782
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
I wonder if you could hook up a power inverter and run a regular 120v outlet in the bed? That would be a nice thing to have in addition to the 12v.

Get some pictures up! Very cool mod!
 
  #7  
Old 01-08-2006
logan03CO's Avatar
Member

iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes on 16 Posts
Originally Posted by Gearhead61
I wonder if you could hook up a power inverter and run a regular 120v outlet in the bed? That would be a nice thing to have in addition to the 12v.

Get some pictures up! Very cool mod!
Yeah you can do that......My buddy installed one in his truck, using a weatherproof GFI cover to keep it all weatherproof.....pretty slick deal....
Being an electrician I am used to having my buddies call me to wire there basements and stuff, but that was the first one to call me for an outlet in his truck!!
 
  #8  
Old 01-08-2006
ScottG's Avatar
Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Lewiston, Maine
Posts: 4,926
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
ive been thinking about doing it, its a handy mod
 
  #9  
Old 01-08-2006
rngprerunner's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Long Beach CA
Posts: 3,453
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 5 Posts
Just FYI, there are a lot of photos in the How To in the How To Section. Christian did a good job on his instal and the photos.
 
  #10  
Old 01-08-2006
Msl747's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 730
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Gearhead61
I wonder if you could hook up a power inverter and run a regular 120v outlet in the bed? That would be a nice thing to have in addition to the 12v.

Get some pictures up! Very cool mod!
Dont the new Tacos have a 120v in the bed? Sounds cool, wish I had the time/still to do that...
 
  #11  
Old 01-08-2006
logan03CO's Avatar
Member

iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes on 16 Posts
Originally Posted by Msl747
Dont the new Tacos have a 120v in the bed? Sounds cool, wish I had the time/still to do that...
Yep, the Tacomas sure do, a 400-watt 120 volt AC outlet in the bed is an option...

They are also standard on the 2006 GMC Sierra V8 w/ electric assist. On the GMC is actually powers four outlets in the bed....

Pretty neat feature I think......
 

Last edited by logan03CO; 01-08-2006 at 06:59 PM.
  #12  
Old 01-15-2006
Jeffro's Avatar
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Pennsville, NJ
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
here goes...the first pic is what I have. The second pic is what I'm going to change the outlet to. I found this one at Wal-mart...@$12.00 it's a little more expensive, but a lot nicer and I like the spring loaded lid.
 
  #13  
Old 01-15-2006
04lvl2's Avatar
RF Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Palm Bay, FL
Posts: 5,600
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Very nice.
 
  #14  
Old 01-15-2006
Bigwill41's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Navasota, Texas
Posts: 4,659
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sweet stuff...
 
  #15  
Old 01-15-2006
rolla_guy72's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Fairbanks, AK
Posts: 3,256
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Harbor Frieght Tools sells a 5kw inverter/converter with 3 AC plugs for $186

I'll look in there when i decide to do all that.
 
  #16  
Old 01-16-2006
elmo_4_vt's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Wilmington DE
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sorry, not to be a *****, but there is no way that 1) you could use a 5kw inverter with our trucks, and 2) you can get one for $186 and it work worth a darn.

You'd be pulling over 416 Amps from your alternator, would have to use 500MCN wire (bigger than your arm), and by a fuse kit that would barely fit in a 2'x2' box.

For reference, a 1kw Inverter, even a lower quality one, usually costs upwards of $500.

I got my el-cheapo 2.5kw inverter for $500 at %50 off, and derated it for use on our trucks, with a high powered alternator. I can still just barely get 1.8kw without stressing the truck alternator.

Don

-
 
  #17  
Old 01-16-2006
Ranger1's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location:
Posts: 3,115
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
is that a flareside or non-flareside bed ?
 
  #18  
Old 01-16-2006
redneckff7's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Pennsville, NJ
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Jeff's truck is a styleside (non-flareside) bed
 
  #19  
Old 01-16-2006
rolla_guy72's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Fairbanks, AK
Posts: 3,256
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Well, I'll just get a 1kw, then... I just want more than i'll ever use, just in case.
 
  #20  
Old 01-16-2006
Ranger1's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location:
Posts: 3,115
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by Mike @ SJ Emergency Light
Jeff's truck is a styleside (non-flareside) bed
I wonder if it can be done or how hard it would be to do on a flareside
 
  #21  
Old 01-16-2006
redneckff7's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Pennsville, NJ
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
probably not that hard. I think he went in through the tail light.
 
  #22  
Old 01-16-2006
Jeffro's Avatar
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Pennsville, NJ
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
All you do is take out the left side tail light and drill a hole that you can access through the bed. There is plenty of room behind the light, and you have more than enough space under the truck to run the primary wire. It's easy and it only took an hour or so, and most of that was running the wire inside the rocker panel and the frame to protect it from the elements.
 
  #23  
Old 01-16-2006
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Not hard at all Ben. I tucked mine up where the tie-down thing is, and it fit fine in there. Just watch out though, I think that you have the drop in bedliner, mine sat about an inch away from the metal of the actual bed.
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
02 silver skull
OLD - Interior, Exterior, Electrical, & Misc.
6
03-01-2011 09:09 AM
08XLT4x4
General Technical & Electrical
4
04-21-2008 12:28 AM
red_fx2
General Technical & Electrical
7
12-22-2007 10:20 AM
pushdeck
General Technical & Electrical
6
03-27-2006 09:11 AM



Quick Reply: 12V Bed Outlet Mod



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:58 PM.